Staal, Hurricanes chase off Coyotes

Eric Staal, busting out of an eight-game scoring drought, scored three goals in two periods to lead Carolina past visiting Phoenix, 5-2, last night.

Staal completed his fifth career hat trick in the final minute of the second period to lead the Hurricanes to their season-high third straight victory.

Ray Whitney scored two late goals, including one into an empty net. Joni Pitkanen had three assists and Cam Ward stopped 26 shots for Carolina.

Shane Doan and Kevin Porter scored and Ilja Bryzgalov made 28 saves for the streaky Coyotes, who have lost four straight since winning three in a row.

Staal, the franchise's highest-paid player, polished off the hat trick by giving the Hurricanes their first lead with 45.1 seconds before the break.

Blues 3, Ducks 2 - Lee Stempniak scored an unassisted goal with 2:21 left in overtime, giving St. Louis a victory and ending Anaheim's five-game road winning streak.

The Ducks appeared to have momentum after Scott Niedermayer capitalized on a wild scramble at the end of regulation, scoring his third goal of the season with only 0.9 seconds remaining.

Devils 5, Islanders 2 - David Clarkson and Travis Zajac scored 10 seconds apart late in the first period for host New Jersey and Kevin Weekes made 25 saves for his 100th career victory.

Flyers 3, Sabres 0 - Martin Biron made 40 saves for his first shutout of the season and 24th overall and Jeff Carter scored twice in Philadelphia's victory at Buffalo.

Lightning 4, Predators 1 - Vincent Lecavalier had two goals to help interim coach Rick Tocchet get his first NHL victory in host Tampa Bay's win over Nashville.